LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Families who have a loved one pass away during the COVID-19 pandemic are having to grieve in new ways.
With social distancing restrictions, many have to grieve without the comfort of family and friends surrounding them.
Funeral homes like La Paloma Funeral Services in Las Vegas want to help families honor the dead and protect the living in the coronavirus era. That’s where technology can help.
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La Paloma Funeral Services will livestream a funeral service for families at no additional cost. That way, those out of state or outside the immediate family can watch the funeral digitally through a link that is sent to them.
“We have this really cool camera, it’s in the back of the chapel. It pans and zooms and spins around and backwards,” said Ryan Bowen, general manager and co-owner of La Paloma Funeral Services. “We have a platform called Funeral View where we stream it right to them. They’ll record it and put it out for people to watch.”
Bowen says right now, La Paloma keeps funerals to a maximum of 10 to 12 people.
“We try to limit the people there and create social distancing opportunities,” Bowen said.
La Paloma is also going by appointment only in an effort to protect employees. Funeral directors are wearing protective gear like masks and gloves.
Bowen says many families are choosing to plan funeral services over the phone or online. Some are choosing to postpone arrangements until they can have a funeral service with everyone in attendance.
